Lakers waive Rafael Castro and Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, one more move still needed

The Los Angeles Lakers made two cuts Saturday, waiving Rafael Castro and Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, according to reporter Law Murray. Both are expected to report to the Coachella Valley Lakers in the G League.

The Lakers still have more than 15 players on guaranteed standard contracts, so at least one more transaction is required before Monday’s roster deadline. The team is exploring the trade market in hopes of avoiding waiving a player with a guaranteed salary, and 2024 first-round pick Dalton Knecht is viewed as the most likely candidate to be moved or cut. That final decision could wait until Sunday or Monday.

Also Saturday, the Memphis Grizzlies waived forward Zach Cleveland, who had been on a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract. Cleveland, an undrafted rookie out of Liberty, is expected to become an affiliate player for the Memphis Hustle and can earn a $91,000 bonus by spending at least 60 days in the G League.

Memphis now has 20 players under contract, including 17 on standard deals, and must shed two more before the regular season. Because those moves will likely involve players with guaranteed salaries, the Grizzlies may wait until Sunday or Monday to finalize them, since the cap hit is the same regardless of when a guaranteed player is waived.